This is sort of what I assumed would happen since we heard that Fiat was getting the Miata-based car. The Fiat will probably be slightly more expensive than the Miata, and the Alfa will come in a little under the Z4 and Boxster. I think it's a lot smarter than trying to justify a large price premium for a Miata-based…

I am not familiar with the door handle mechanism on new Mazdas, but I frequently play a game when I have passengers in my Alfa Milano called "Try to Get Out of the Car." The record is 26 seconds, with several giving up after two or three minutes.

I think it's even more annoying with Maserati:

He can also find you a V10 BMW for the price of an STi, and a Ferrari for the price of a BMW. By the Tavarish law of induction, go out and get yourself a Ferrari for the price of a Nissan Versa!

"1 Crazy Words Invented By Dodge - The Last One Had Me Saying Wow!"

I have done this exact thing. How did you know?

At our local C&C there is ALWAYS exactly one of these guys in a new Mustang / Camaro / Corvette, and it's always a different guy. Also, it is EVERY LAST 350Z owner.

Actually it's my understanding that the mechanical tensioners are largely responsible for skipped timing syndrome. I run a hydraulic tensioner filled with grease and with the oil feeds plugged to make it a static tensioner. It requires occasional adjustment but no worries of busted tensioners, even if I park on a hill.

Don't forget that only one out of the four adjuster nuts for the rear brake calipers (Yes, adjuster nuts. Don't ask.) is reverse-threaded! Good luck remembering which one it is!

My thoughts exactly. If I was handed $60,000 to buy a car, there is no doubt I would import a Delta Integrale. The Lane Motor Museum has one and they take it to the local cars and coffee every once in a while. 99% of people don't know what it is, but those who do flip out when they see it.

A lot of the fun of the Ferrari columns was reading about the practicalities of living with even a relatively reliable model like the 360. Almost anything else would be a step backwards from that - "Now read about the trials and tribulations of living with a car that's way more practical and reliable than my last one!"

LM002. Please let it be an LM002.

It's all part of a genius plan to make Lancia the largest US automaker.

Not a lot short of hooking up an oil pressure gauge and cranking for a long time waiting for oil pressure build. I suppose if you have an oil cooler you can disconnect one of the lines and watch for oil to spew out during cranking, but that's dodgy at best and most sellers probably won't be too thrilled with it.

"For Sale: This car reminds me a lot of a red accident-free 1988 BMW 325i with 188,000 miles."

9000 Saab is best Saab.

This is actually interesting to me in a lot of ways, as I think the techniques needed to restore a 1990's car to showroom-quality will become invaluable when the current generation of tuners hits retirement.

Confession: I haven't played a serious PC game since Half Life 2.

I did not previously know five of these facts, which is pretty good considering I once answered a word association game with "Matra-Simca Bagheera". Not bad, Chris.

First paragraph of 3rd gear.